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Letters | Hong Kong protesters are clearly not ready for the freedoms they demand
Hong Kong needs less freedom, not more. If there is unrestricted liberty, people will use it to make unreasonable demands. The sky is their limit. They are like kids in a candy store: they want it all.
Those who do not cherish the freedoms they possess, and instead abuse them, will ultimately lose them all through their greed and arrogance. If Hongkongers want democracy or independence, they have to show the world they are mature and capable of handling it. Democracy has to be earned.
The old colonial system has to change because it’s not working. The Legislative Council is dysfunctional. None of the lawmakers know what their duties are. People’s basic needs and voices are not heard or discussed enough to satisfy them. There is too much bickering and politicking.
There should be some censorship and monitoring on social media. Those who spread malicious material or lies should be held accountable for them.
The government should nip violence in the bud with all the means at its disposal. The emergency powers ordinance should be invoked for this purpose. When the public know you mean business, they will toe the line.
Unrestricted freedom of the press is damaging Hong Kong society and its economy. At a press conference last month, a reporter shouted at Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, “Mrs Lam, many residents are asking when you will die!” How would such a comment contribute to a useful discussion with the chief executive? In a civilised society, that reporter would be banned from future press conferences and sacked from his job.
My impression is that many of those who support the protesters work in the public sector on government payroll. These include teachers, medical personnel, academics, social workers, public radio and so on. When the economy suffers, they will be the last to be hurt.
They ones in pain are those in the private sector, including those working in restaurants, retail, hospitality and the taxi trade. Students are not in the job market yet and they don’t know what it’s like not having a job.
C.B. Wong, Kowloon Tong
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